Chemotherapy Diet

Diet plays a very important role for cancer patients who is taking chemotherapy treatment. A chemohelp regarding good nutrition is essential for the patients undergoing through mental, physical disturbance of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy and good diet sounds like a typical combination for the patients because many patients frequently report altered reaction to smells, textures and tastes during the chemotherapy. During the chemotheray the diet which is once patient's favourites then appeared as unappealing and many times patient just don't feel like eating.

Here is a chemohelp with some chemotherapy diet suggetions which cancer patients and their families should keep in mind while planning chemothreapy diet chart.

Diet tips for chemotherapy patients:-

1. Take a healthy diet.

For cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy it is very important to take a healthy diet because body works overtime against cancer and it is neccessary to repair healthy cells damaged from chemotherapy treatment.

• Do small exercise before and after meal. eg. Walking etc

• Avoid fat rich diet.

• Make your schedule for the day and strictly follow it regularly

2. Plan your chemo diet in small intervals

Have a small quantity of meal at small intervals because nausea and poor appetite lowers your intake of food. Eat 5-6 meals per day this will help to sneak in extra calories and protein. Eat high calorie and protein rich food i.e. like casseroles, butter added snacks, fortified milkshakes, puddings and custards, and milk-based desserts, salads, rice, stuffing, sandwiches, desserts, breakfasts.

3. Protein rich chemodiet helps better

Liquid Diet- Cancer patients can easily deal with the nausea and loss of appetite with liquid diet. They can drink high calorie protein rich beverages such as fruit juice, cheese soup, coffee, tea, fresh or frozen plain yogurt, honey, milk, smoothies, milk mixed with a powdered meal replacement etc. If the patient is allowed to have soy products in diet then he can also take cubed silken tofu.

Protein rich Diet- Protein boosts the strength of body and helps maintaining and rebuilds the cells and tissues affected by the treatment. A protein rich diet may include large portion of beans, nuts, cheese, fat free milk ,tofu and other Soy stuff, edamame etc.

Soft Diet- Chemotherapy can cause tooth pain, gum pain or may be sore throat, that's why patients taking chemotherapy may stick to soft meals like milkshakes, yogurt and pudding. Boil a serving of pasta until it is mushy, and then mix it with a non-acidic cream sauce or a cup of pureed vegetables, such as carrots or butternut squash. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Cold Diet- Sometimes nausea of cancer patients may trouble them by the smell of food. In such case serving cold food may help them eat more. Freeze fruits, cold soups, gazpacho can be easier to ingest. Frozen yogurt, cold custard milkshakes, ice cream are excellent food in such cases.

4. Be hygienic to prevent infections

Cancer patients have high risk of infections therefore some precautionary measures should be taken. These measures are:

• Before cooking and eating make sure that your hands are washed.

• Make sure that your utensils and knives are cleaned before cooking.

• Refrigerate food whenever possible. Don't keep it lying out in the open.

5. Foods which should be strictly avoided during chemotherapy:-

• Hot, spicy foods (i.e. hot pepper, curry, and Cajun spice mix).

• Fatty, greasy or fried foods.

• Very sweet, sugary foods.

• Large meals

• Foods with strong smells (foods that are warm tend to smell stronger).

• Eating or drinking quickly

• Drinking beverages with meals

• Lying down after taking diet.

• Very sweet, sugary foods.

6. Diet tips to try during chemotherapy:-

• Small meals throughout the day

• Refrigerated or room temperature entrees.

• Rinse mouth with lemon water after eating.

• Suck on ice cubes, mints, or hard candies

• Distractions such as TV, music, or reading may be helpful while eating.

7. Chemo help with Herbs:

Cats Claw	Tincture, take dose on label in 1/2 cup water with tsp lemon juice.	Normalize white blood cells
Aloe Vera	Juice. 1/4 cup 2-3x/day.	Enhances immune resistance, increases effectiveness of chemotherapy
Ashwagandha	Capsules. 1000-2000mg 2x/day	Increases red and white blood cell counts.
Astragalus	Extract. 1-4tsp 3x/day	Reverses immune suppression
Alfalfa	Capsules. 1000-2000mg/day.	Reverses immune suppression.
Quercetin	Tablets. Take 125-150mg 3x/day, between meals.	Increases tumour killing ability of cisplatin while reducing side effects.
Reishi	Tablets. 3 gms 3x/day.	Increases red and white blood cell counts
Scutellaria	Extract. 1-2tsp 3x/day. Start 2 wks before chemo.	Reduces immune system damage.

Note: Information provided on this site is for educational purposes and not given as medical advice nor is it intended to propose or offers to propose a cure for any disease or condition. Before starting any medical treatment, please consult your physician.